Hiring A Private Investigator To Gather Information For Your Divorce: What You Need To Know

If you suspect your spouse of infidelity, you may be tempted to hire a private investigator to confirm or disprove your suspicions. For some couples, an extramarital affair is cause for divorce. Here are a few things you need to know about hiring a private investigator to gather information for your divorce.

1. You Don't Have to Use the Information in Court

Regardless of what information you obtain from the investigator's report, you do not have to use this info when you go to court if you don't want to. Some spouses want a clear answer as to whether or not a partner is seeing someone else; once an answer is given, the spouse who hires the investigator may choose to keep the information concealed, usually due to privacy concerns concerning the relationship. In some cases, a spouse may try to work things out with a partner instead of pursing a separation. If you do not want people to know that your spouse is having an affair, you are free to keep the information to yourself.

2. Hiring an Investigator May Not Affect the Outcome of Your Divorce Case

Whether or not hiring a private investigator can bolster your divorce case depends on the state that you live in. In many states, division of property and child support follow a standard schedule that uses the length of the marriage and the spouse's financial information. The fact that one spouse is having an affair may not change the outcome of the divorce in this aspect.

However, adultery may influence how much alimony a spouse receives. Though alimony is ordered in part based on financial need and the length of the marriage, adultery can also influence the judge's orders regarding the time and length of alimony payments. Check with an attorney to see if extraneous circumstances will influence any potential alimony payments.

3. It is Best to Leave Investigating to a Qualified Professional 

It can be tempting to try to find information out on your own or even recruit your friends into helping you keep an eye on your spouse. However, it is best to invest in a private investigator who has experience gathering sensitive information.

Private investigators know how to gather information in a manner that will not make your spouse suspicious. An experienced investigator also knows that techniques you have to follow to make sure that information is legally obtained.

4. You Should Consult with an Attorney

If divorce is on the table, you need to consult with your attorney to make sure you understand what procedures you should follow when hiring an investigator. This can help ensure that information gathered by the investigator can possibly be used in court. 

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